Courtesy of Julia Stevens
- Julia Stevens moved to San Francisco after visiting friends there and falling in love with it.
- She landed a new job and moved from Raleigh, North Carolina, with her partner in August.
- She says she isn't concerned about safety and enjoys the outdoor activities but pays higher prices.
This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Julia Stevens, a 25-year-old who recently moved to San Francisco. The following has been edited for length and clarity.
I was born and raised in Raleigh and started building my adult life there when I landed a job after college. Even though I loved it, I always dreamed of moving away from home and living in a big city.